# Bwuh? Am I in the right century? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 3, 2005, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665 "2005-06-03T02:21:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/41 "2005-06-03T20:00:54Z")
> [@CateAyo](#): > > Windwalker, racism is alive and well in America. I have read on other posts that some believe it is less than it has been. I disagree. I believe it is merely more subtle and understated, better to circumvent the laws. What you experienced was neither subtle not understated. It is also familiar to me. > > I am Native American (Red Indian as referred to in another post regarding Hitler). I had occassion to be in Milltown, New Jersey a few years ago, doing a bit of consulting for the local government there. I was happy to find a sizaeable population of Delaware/Lenni Lanape people there. > > While drinking, quietly, with my business partner in a hotel bar, I noted a small and inebriated man on the opposite end of the bar staring at me. He was remarking, in a loud enough voice, how he hated “injuns” and how we “priairie-niggers” couldn’t be trusted and would cheat and steal, and how his ex wife had run off with one of “them buffalo-fuckers” (excellent judgement on her part). He went on to say that he wouldn’t even drink with “them bastards”! > > I said nothing, but later asked the embarrased bartender to hand him whatever he was drinking, and say it was form an anonymous donor. He did so and as the drunk was about midway through the drink, I couldn’t resist telling him he was welcome for the beer. Oh, that started him railing again (but he finished the beer). > > After a few minutes, my agent called us at the bar phone (she always knew where to find us). I got up to take the call and as I walked around the bar, drunk-boy’s eyes got saucer-like. I guess I was bigger than he expected. After the call, he got very very apologetic and offered to buy us a few drinks. > > So yes, my friend, I have imbibed with mutants. I think that their illness in incurable. I hear ya. I’m part Cree, but the only part of me that “looks Indian” is my naturally black hair. Maybe my very straight nose too. The rest of me is deathly pale and I have green eyes. I’m usually met with disbelief when I reveal to anyone that I have Native ancestry. Last year I was selling some of my crafts at a pow-wow, and a couple older Native ladies browsing at the craft tables came up and asked a few questions about my stuff, then asked about my background. When I told them they actually _laughed_ and then walked away. I was totally humiliated and angry. Take heart, **Windwalker** , because you’re a smarter, kinder, and all-around better person than those assholes will ever be. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/42 "2005-06-03T20:02:01Z")
> [@auntie em](#): > > Hey, it wasn’t _me_–what do I know from the BeeGees? I mean, everybody knows that British white boys can’t talk jive. Only colored people and white American nuns. I didn’t know the Beaver’s mom was a nun. And the BeeGee’s were effectively Australian by way of Isle of Man, which makes them sort of British-once-removed. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/43 "2005-06-03T20:23:18Z")
**ShibbOleth** _I didn’t know the Beaver’s mom was a nun._ “Chump don’t want da help, chump don’t get da help.” ---
**Author:** ![Hoodoo\_Ulove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/58956e/32.png) [@Hoodoo\_Ulove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoodoo_Ulove)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/44 "2005-06-03T20:34:26Z")
I found this a very disappointing OP. I can’t think of any way to turn it around and call Windwalker an asshole. Ruined my day. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/45 "2005-06-03T20:46:07Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > I didn’t know the Beaver’s mom was a nun. And the BeeGee’s were effectively Australian by way of Isle of Man, which makes them sort of British-once-removed. See? She was jivin’ you, turkey. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/46 "2005-06-03T20:47:17Z")
> [@Hoodoo Ulove](#): > > I found this a very disappointing OP. I can’t think of any way to turn it around and call Windwalker an asshole. Ruined my day. “Every group deserves to have a little corner of the world they can call home, where they can let their hair down and be completely comfortable with other people of their own kind, without having some outsider come in, who obviosuly doesn’t understand what it’s like to be a white male in today’s world. And then you had the gall to be offended by the people who call this bar home defending their last bastion of comfort in the world. You asshole.” Man, stay on this board long enough and you can argue anything. 😃 This is all quite tongue-in-cheek, to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![Try\_As\_I\_Might](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Try\_As\_I\_Might](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try_As_I_Might)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/47 "2005-06-03T20:47:38Z")
> [@Amazon Floozy Goddess](#): > > I hear ya. I’m part Cree, but the only part of me that “looks Indian” is my naturally black hair. Maybe my very straight nose too. The rest of me is deathly pale and I have green eyes. I’m usually met with disbelief when I reveal to anyone that I have Native ancestry. > > Last year I was selling some of my crafts at a pow-wow, and a couple older Native ladies browsing at the craft tables came up and asked a few questions about my stuff, then asked about my background. When I told them they actually _laughed_ and then walked away. I was totally humiliated and angry. > > Take heart, **Windwalker** , because you’re a smarter, kinder, and all-around better person than those assholes will ever be. I’m sorry, did you say dark hair and green eyes? 🙂 Need to concentrate on work, yes, that’s right, work–not green eyes and dark hair. work, work, work. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/48 "2005-06-03T20:53:03Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Ok, that movie sucked something awful, but that was one of the few laugh-out-loud moments for us. 🙂 Them’s fightin’ words. 🙂 Thug picks up bowling ball: “What the fuck is this?” Il Duderino {If you’re not into the whole brevity thing}: “Obviously you’re not a golfer.” ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/49 "2005-06-03T20:59:51Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Ok, that movie sucked something awful, but that was one of the few laugh-out-loud moments for us. 🙂 That’s it. You’re off my “Favorite Dopers” list. And so’s **vibrotronica** , for beating me to that quote. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/50 "2005-06-03T21:48:53Z")
> [@Amazon Floozy Goddess](#): > > I hear ya. I’m part Cree, but the only part of me that “looks Indian” is my naturally black hair. Maybe my very straight nose too. The rest of me is deathly pale and I have green eyes. I’m usually met with disbelief when I reveal to anyone that I have Native ancestry. I’m only like 1/256th Algonquin, but people tend to think I’m Native American. Actually I’m half Filipino and half Irish-German-Czech-Portuguese-Miscellaneous. I certainly don’t look Filipino, at any rate. ---
**Author:** ![CateAyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@CateAyo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CateAyo)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/51 "2005-06-03T22:09:01Z")
**CateAyo** You have unbelievable grace and you’re a better person than I. [/QUOTE] Nah, not really. But, thank you for the sentiment. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/52 "2005-06-03T23:52:07Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Auburn? _Auburn?_ > > For non-Northwesterners, Auburn is not the one-horse podunk town you might infer it is from the 75-miles-outside-Seattle description. (Actually, it’s more like 30.) It’s definitely not a big city, but it’s more like the suburbs of the suburbs. In fact, it’s the site of the state’s largest [outlet mall megaplex](http://www.supermall.com), which means it has considerably more than a single stoplight, or whatever else comes to mind when you think of small towns. > > From the OP, I was expecting you to say Brinnon or Cashmere or one of those types of places. But Auburn? Whoa. I wonder… could it have been Black Diamond? I haven’t really stopped there before, just drove through many times on the way to Flaming Geyser, but it’s near Auburn, and from the looks of it, it _seems_ like a one-horse town… maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/53 "2005-06-03T23:57:46Z")
Speaking of Chinamen… > [@Lao Tzu](#): > > When the fool learns the Way, He laughs at it. > Yet if the fool did not laugh at it, > It would not be the Way. > Indeed, if you are seeking the Way, > Listen for the laughter of fools. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/54 "2005-06-04T05:34:53Z")
> [@auntie em](#): > > I once went on a date with a guy (whom I met because I bought his mother’s piano) who told me over lunch that he “never would have guessed that [I was] _colored_, because [I] don’t have a huge chip on [my] shoulder or talk all that jive talk like most colored people.” (Oh, yes. I quote.) So THAT’S how **SkipMagic** won your heart! ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/55 "2005-06-04T10:49:48Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Auburn? _Auburn?_ > > For non-Northwesterners, Auburn is not the one-horse podunk town you might infer it is from the 75-miles-outside-Seattle description. (Actually, it’s more like 30.) It’s definitely not a big city, but it’s more like the suburbs of the suburbs. In fact, it’s the site of the state’s largest [outlet mall megaplex](http://www.supermall.com), which means it has considerably more than a single stoplight, or whatever else comes to mind when you think of small towns. > > From the OP, I was expecting you to say Brinnon or Cashmere or one of those types of places. But Auburn? Whoa. Sorry, I meant 75 min from U. District in typical late afternoon traffic (since that seems to be where I go in the city most and my habitual frame of reference). And it wasn’t really in Auburn town proper, but in farm country probably approaching or passing the eastern limits; I didn’t see any signs, but it could have been Enumclaw or Black Diamond or another one a’ dem lil’ towns. But yea, not exactly in the middle of the Congo. ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/56 "2005-06-04T11:07:22Z")
> [@Hoodoo Ulove](#): > > I found this a very disappointing OP. I can’t think of any way to turn it around and call Windwalker an asshole. Ruined my day. Thanks, makes me feel all warm and cuddly inside 😃 To be fair, you could certainly call me a total pussy. I did used to respond to aggression and insults with petty retribution in kind (for example, I was a classic passive-aggressive driver), but I’ve chilled out since then. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/57 "2005-06-04T14:21:38Z")
> [@auntie em](#): > > Hey, it wasn’t _me_–what do I know from the BeeGees? I mean, everybody knows that British white boys can’t talk jive. Only colored people and white American nuns. And June Cleaver!! “OH stewardess? Can I help you? I speak jive.” ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/58 "2005-06-04T14:25:28Z")
Rather off topic, but I’m 1/8th Choctaw, but my red-brown hair, freckles and blue eyes certainly wouldn’t show it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/59 "2005-06-04T14:29:47Z")
Even further off-topic, I was heartily disappointed to go to the Museum of the Cherokee and see that I didn’t look a thing like the people I’m a 16th of; I guess the English, Irish, Dutch and Russian have all triumphed the Native genetic code… ☹ I don’t look like anything. Can I ask why the term ‘Chinaman’ is particularly derogative when on its face it is simply stating that a person appears to be from China? Is it the historical racism behind it? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665/60 "2005-06-04T16:46:41Z")
> [@Portia](#): > > Can I ask why the term ‘Chinaman’ is particularly derogative when on its face it is simply stating that a person appears to be from China? Is it the historical racism behind it? I think that’s it. A “Chinaman” was seen as the exotic, alien creature, more of a spectacle than an actual human being. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwuh-am-i-in-the-right-century/306665.md?page=4)